And Then There Were Two
I guess it was about 25 years ago, when my Pappaw died, that the realization first hit me. His wife, my Mimmi, had passed before him, and I had earlier lost my Mammaw and Granddaddy on my father’s side. Pappaw was the last link in my heritage to that generation. It hit me that I had lost one layer of prayer cover, that I was one generation closer to my own mortality.
This morning, one of the last links to my parents’ generation died in her sleep. My Aunt Susie passed, joining her sisters Annice and Jerre, and all their spouses, who’d gone before. My last aunt on my Dad’s side, Aunt Mozelle, died several years ago, joining her sister Helen Ruth and brothers, Barney, Jr. and Lindberg (Lucky, to us).
Now there are but two of that generation on either side of my family left. My Mom and Dad were the babies of their respective families. Dad is in good health for an octogenarian. Mom is suffering the ravages of Alzheimer’s Disease, here in body but not cognitively. This thin layer is all that remains of another generation of prayer cover. Once again, my sense of impermanence rears its ugly head.
Life is fleeting, it’s true. It seems only yesterday I was graduating high school, falling in love with my beloved Tracy, becoming a dad (five times) and a Pappaw (six times). In many ways I am still that young man. My knees, shoulder, back and other portions of my body tend to disabuse me of that notion. It was always a comfort knowing I had praying grandparents – until I no longer did. When my Mom no longer knew who I was, I began to realize that level of support is also fading. Dad still holds us up in prayer, I know. For that, I am grateful.
The point of all this reminiscing is this – it’s time. It’s way past time. For those of us in our generation, it’s time for us to take on the mantle of prayer warriors for the sake of our progeny. I don’t mean only good wishes and hopes for their success. I mean interceding on their behalf before the Father and not letting go until the burden is lifted. I know my kids need it. Don’t yours?
We are the “Mimmi and Pappaw” our grandkids will remember. Will they remember us as men and women of prayer and spiritual guidance? Or, will we rather be their parents’ parents, not intimately involved in their lives because that would be too uncomfortable? I’ve always felt my grandkids deserve a Charles Frances kind of granddad and a Sarah Francis kind of grandma, so we’ve been purposeful in our efforts to be involved in their lives. I can never replicate my Pappaw’s influence but I can be the salt and light the Father enables me to be for them.
Yes, there are but two between me and eternity. And, yes, I’ve come too close for comfort to premature passing a couple of times in my life. But in the generational scheme of things, the window is closing before I’m figuratively next in line. Some of you are already there. With God’s help, I’m going to make it memorable. How about you?
Very well stated DAVID!
Some other thoughts that might be useful even though they’re not about prayer. All of us face challenges and difficulties throughout our lifetime’s , but my many many years of singing in church choirs have put a lot of special imprints on my mind. One of those is more or less a mantra because it’s constantly coming into my head. Singing in the choir is at Hillcrest Church was pretty special because the music program there was definitely above average. The beginning of a Christmas cantata or presentation is what pops into my head perhaps a dozen or more times a day and this is it. “Rejoice!Rejoice! Emanuel has come to us Oh Israel!”
The other thought that might be useful as what I call my life’s verse from the Bible. Over the decades this is changed a couple of times but my current verse which God gave to me at least 15 to 20 years ago is Proverbs 3:5,6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.